[Q] Rooting Confusion on latest OTA Update - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4

I apologize in advance if this has been answered or if I have inadvertently offended. I did watch the video and have developed OSes for 30 years. I also have searched all over this site and the web for resolution and am making no progress, so I'm asking the 'oracle'
Got an ATT S4 (I337) a week ago - it was running UCUAMDL. I rooted it using Motochopper and was happily using Titanium Pro etc. I get notified of OTA update. OTA update downloads (357MB) yet fails during install at 30% consistsently.
I figure it is unhappy with my root - I unrooted and cannot remember which way I did it - I seem to recall SuperSU I was using did not have the built-in 'unroot' support so I grabbed the stock image and used ODIN to flash it.I also may have manually uninstalled the 'normal' way the SU app - I suspect this may be my real problem.
After flashing stock ROM for UCUAMDL phone was no longer rooted, did not say custom etc, and took the OTA upgrade just fine. This was for UCUAMF3 which did add App 2 SD support - BTW this update used another 1G of storage compared to UCUAMDL, and I could not recover the 1G by moving apps either, making it virtually worthless as far as adding support for apps in SD, lol.
The problem is now I cannot seem to get the device rooted again. Motochopper fails when installing su.apk. I suspect I have screwed the pooch - what do I need to do to get this thing rooted again?
Is it typical for an OTA update to fail 'because' the device is rooted?
Any advice is much appreciated.

TheKog said:
I apologize in advance if this has been answered or if I have inadvertently offended. I did watch the video and have developed OSes for 30 years. I also have searched all over this site and the web for resolution and am making no progress, so I'm asking the 'oracle'
Got an ATT S4 (I337) a week ago - it was running UCUAMDL. I rooted it using Motochopper and was happily using Titanium Pro etc. I get notified of OTA update. OTA update downloads (357MB) yet fails during install at 30% consistsently.
I figure it is unhappy with my root - I unrooted and cannot remember which way I did it - I seem to recall SuperSU I was using did not have the built-in 'unroot' support so I grabbed the stock image and used ODIN to flash it.I also may have manually uninstalled the 'normal' way the SU app - I suspect this may be my real problem.
After flashing stock ROM for UCUAMDL phone was no longer rooted, did not say custom etc, and took the OTA upgrade just fine. This was for UCUAMF3 which did add App 2 SD support - BTW this update used another 1G of storage compared to UCUAMDL, and I could not recover the 1G by moving apps either, making it virtually worthless as far as adding support for apps in SD, lol.
The problem is now I cannot seem to get the device rooted again. Motochopper fails when installing su.apk. I suspect I have screwed the pooch - what do I need to do to get this thing rooted again?
Is it typical for an OTA update to fail 'because' the device is rooted?
Any advice is much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do believe it's because of the latest OTA update. I know the OTA for Verizon patched our bootloader hack that we previously had and I think the same may have happened for AT&T. You might want to check through the AT&T forums section as you have an AT&T S4 and this is the Verizon section. Hope you find what your looking for!

TheKog said:
Any advice is much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd begin with posting in the forum applicable to your device. That being said, in about sure at&t's update was on par with ours
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

Related

[Q] Is it worth it to root?

I had a few questions about rootign and the SGS3.
1. Do i need to root to use launchers like nova and apex?
2. If I launch and mandatory updates come out will I be able to download them if I root?
3. Is it worth it?
Thanks in advance. Ive only rooted older phones that didnt regularly receive updates and my knowledge is extremely limited.
ddurandSGS3 said:
I had a few questions about rootign and the SGS3.
1. Do i need to root to use launchers like nova and apex?
2. If I launch and mandatory updates come out will I be able to download them if I root?
3. Is it worth it?
Thanks in advance. Ive only rooted older phones that didnt regularly receive updates and my knowledge is extremely limited.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. No.. those launchers will work without root
2. Not sure about this..
3. Up to you and what apps you use or like to use. There are some really great apps out there that require root. Think of having root the same as being an administrator on your PC. Lets you have TOTAL control of your device. I think its well worth it.. for me.. for someone who likes to use root apps!
sent from my Galaxy S III
I hesitated to root to ! I did it just to be adfree et to use Titanium Backup
Having rooted mine, I received notification OTA of the update yesterday but was unable to install OTA but no trouble updating via kies on the PC, just had to re-root again after the update.
It is ALWAYS worth it to root, lol. Who doesn't want root apps, custom ROMs and kernels, and the ability to remove bloatware??
Usually I will keep my smartphones untouched for several months until I got bored or I hit the limits of the phone.
I decided to root my old Desire because I was short of memory all the time, this can be solved only by having A2Sd+, EXT2SD, etc. ROMs which needs rooting for flashing.
I hit the limit for my Desire only after several weeks...so...I rooted it only after a few weeks. (I am still keeping this device )
I rooted my Sensation after 3 months...just got bored with the stock one...
(This baby is sold after 7 months (unrooted before selling)...I dunno, I do not like this device without any special reason...)
I dunno if I want to root my SGSIII at the moment...perhaps after several months..
I am currently still enjoying my stock SGSIII Hey! It is only a couple of days since I received this device
I managed to wait an entire 24 hours before rooting my S3. I felt that this demonstrated tremendous will power and self control.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
I rooted to get rid of Samsung bloatware and to be able to use cwm. Really easy using the Toolkit (listed in the Dev section), and I was mighty pleased that Samsung chose to ship the phone with an unlocked bootloader.
aaa said:
Usually I will keep my smartphones untouched for several months until I got bored or I hit the limits of the phone.
I decided to root my old Desire because I was short of memory all the time, this can be solved only by having A2Sd+, EXT2SD, etc. ROMs which needs rooting for flashing.
I hit the limit for my Desire only after several weeks...so...I rooted it only after a few weeks. (I am still keeping this device )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was exactly the same with my desire
As for whether to root or not i know everybody says it but it really is just a case of looking at why you would want to root vs the risks. I personally am waiting for a bit because I haven't seen a custom ROM i like enough or another reason to root (battery fix or Google wallet working for example)
However that being said rooting is always worth it because of all the extra apps and capabilities! And as far as I'm aware getting back to stock if it becomes faulty is as simple as flashing some stock firmware through Odin and using chainfires tiangleaway (someone correct me of i'm wrong please because not absolutely 100% on this)

[Q] Question re root limbo on GT-I9300 post Kies firmware update

Hi, appreciate this is my first post and thus my question will be regarded with a certain amount of skepticism.. am only posting cos I think my issue is unusual and have not been able to find a similar question/answer through my searches on this forum
Basically, the issue is I rooted my Galaxy S3 (GT-I9300) a month or so ago, installed clockwork mod and superuser etc,. however I held off flashing a ROM because I figured my OTA jellybean update was imminent and wanted to see what the touchwiz jellybean looked like before installing Cyanogen or another ROM. wasn't sure if the OTA would come thru once I shed the stock ROM
So I waited for weeks for the OTA (am on Orange, now Everything Everywhere, in the UK) and have not received it.. last week I went onto Kies and saw there was a new firmware update, so I updated thru Kies thinking that might be what was needed to receive the OTA JB update. updated the firmware but still no JB update - however, now when I check my root status on Root Checker, or try to use any app that requires root, I'm told that I don't have "proper" root access.
My question is updating the firmware over Kies, did that mess up my root access.. am I now unrooted? (this doesn't seem correct) It seems to me I am in a limbo of sorts - not properly rooted anymore, but not fully unrooted either. I want to root the thing again so I can install cyanogen or supernexus, and I would appreciate advice on what to do - should I do a factory reset and then root again as before, or will this cause issues.. was just gon soldier ahead and do it but aware that this may cause problems if my phone already has files from the previous attempt on there.. for example the SGS3 toolkit V.6.0.0 I'm using says not to proceed with its root operations on a phone "that's already rooted" so am hesitant to proceed. Any advice would be appreciated. cheers
You've lost root with the update, just root again and it's all good.

Well AT&T fnally pushed out the 4.4.4 update

If anyone is interested, I saw this posted today. A small OTA update released by AT&T today.
http://www.androidcentral.com/att-pushes-out-update-htc-one-m8-brings-android-444-and-hd-voice
scott500 said:
If anyone is interested, I saw this posted today. A small OTA update released by AT&T today.
http://www.androidcentral.com/att-pushes-out-update-htc-one-m8-brings-android-444-and-hd-voice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is merely a rumor. The ATT link is to the old May 2014 update.
Pay no attention.
The link to the att sight yes is for old 1.58 build, does not mean there isnt an update coming...as its being reported with a build number by more and more sights, could just be a rumour but it could also be rolling out.
Well, they finally released the update today. Finally have 4.4.4. On my m8. Now to wait for lollipop
Does anybody know where the OTAPkg file gets downloaded to? I'm trying to preserve the file and not have to download it again and again after a fail update. Thanks.
Edit: n/m found it, it's under the FUMO folder within the internal SD.
Please save a copy. We need it for a custom rom
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app
johnnyutah22 said:
Please save a copy. We need it for a custom rom
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm lost. I installed the 4.4.4 OTA, installed the latest CM12 nightly, and now I have no cell service nor options to select/enter an apn. Under apn it states "access point names not available for this user" HElP?!
ALSO, what custom roms can I run using this 4.4.4 OTA?!
bford152 said:
I'm lost. I installed the 4.4.4 OTA, installed the latest CM12 nightly, and now I have no cell service nor options to select/enter an apn. Under apn it states "access point names not available for this user" HElP?!
ALSO, what custom roms can I run using this 4.4.4 OTA?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't help you with CM12, but I just installed Viper One and it seems to work fine.
I updated to the 4.4.4 via OTA yesterday, and Viper installed without a hitch.
NB: Make a Nandroid Backup before flashing please.
Whats the best way to update my girlfriend's rooted M8? Currently running 4.4.2 rooted S-ON. Can she just take OTA and then will have to re-root?
I'm S-OFF on my phone so I haven't had to deal with this. Already updated my firmware months ago and have been running 4.4.4 roms.
Thanks!!
Downloading it now.
You'll have to re-flash stock recovery, take the OTA update, then restore twrp (or other custom recovery) and re-root.
Could someone help me with the OTA update. I'm on stock 4.4.2 rooted and s-off. I placed back all the at&t crap in systems and tried my best to restore everything back to stock even recovery. I'm still getting a red triangle approx like 1/4 the way during the update. What sucks is that I have to download the whole update file again and it's 800+megs versus the prior updates which were a lot smaller. It's just very time consuming and would like to find out the root of the issue is.
I've done so many mods on the phone like the HK mod and various other ones. I'm trying to think back now to see if there is anything else and now I'm stuck. I don't want to restore my stock nandroid cause I would have to install everything all over again which would suck big time. I uninstall the drivers for viper4android, xposed, and even reverted the host file back from adaway. I just feel like there might be something within the system files that isn't suppose to be there. I even got rid of the att boot logo and sound but I had restored that back to stock as well. Please help if you could. Thanks.
Also is there anyway to flash twrp without using a pc? I tried flashify but it doesn't seem to be working cause it would revert back to the fastboot no matter what.
Same situation here I think... stock rom (never changed it yet), rooted, unlocked, s-off. Downloaded OTA then realized I needed to flash original recovery back. Did that, now AT&T sw update is of course telling me to wait 24 hours to check again. Any way around that?
jeremyenos said:
Same situation here I think... stock rom (never changed it yet), rooted, unlocked, s-off. Downloaded OTA then realized I needed to flash original recovery back. Did that, now AT&T sw update is of course telling me to wait 24 hours to check again. Any way around that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah just manually change the date one day ahead and try it again. It might take a couple of secs for it to prompt that there is an update.
I just posted a pre-rooted ruu in the dev section.
Backup data in twrp to your ext sd. Flash ruu via sd card method. Flash twrp using the free app flashify. Reboot to twrp and restore data.
No pc required.
Just make sure you backup files on internal.
volcalstone said:
Could someone help me with the OTA update. I'm on stock 4.4.2 rooted and s-off. I placed back all the at&t crap in systems and tried my best to restore everything back to stock even recovery. I'm still getting a red triangle approx like 1/4 the way during the update. What sucks is that I have to download the whole update file again and it's 800+megs versus the prior updates which were a lot smaller. It's just very time consuming and would like to find out the root of the issue is.
I've done so many mods on the phone like the HK mod and various other ones. I'm trying to think back now to see if there is anything else and now I'm stuck. I don't want to restore my stock nandroid cause I would have to install everything all over again which would suck big time. I uninstall the drivers for viper4android, xposed, and even reverted the host file back from adaway. I just feel like there might be something within the system files that isn't suppose to be there. I even got rid of the att boot logo and sound but I had restored that back to stock as well. Please help if you could. Thanks.
Also is there anyway to flash twrp without using a pc? I tried flashify but it doesn't seem to be working cause it would revert back to the fastboot no matter what.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's a boot loader flashable twrp in the dev section posted by jball
dottat said:
I just posted a pre-rooted ruu in the dev section.
Backup data in twrp to your ext sd. Flash ruu via sd card method. Flash twrp using the free app flashify. Reboot to twrp and restore data.
No pc required.
Just make sure you backup files on internal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed that flashify also will install CWM or Philz. Is your method specific to TWRP or can you use the others. The reason I ask is because I currently use Philz and would need that to restore my backup.
johnnyutah22 said:
I noticed that flashify also will install CWM or Philz. Is your method specific to TWRP or can you use the others. The reason I ask is because I currently use Philz and would need that to restore my backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can flash whichever you use.
I thought I read where this update would include the EYE Experience. Did I read that wrong or do I just not know how to use my camera anymore?
volcalstone said:
Could someone help me with the OTA update. I'm on stock 4.4.2 rooted and s-off. I placed back all the at&t crap in systems and tried my best to restore everything back to stock even recovery. I'm still getting a red triangle approx like 1/4 the way during the update. What sucks is that I have to download the whole update file again and it's 800+megs versus the prior updates which were a lot smaller. It's just very time consuming and would like to find out the root of the issue is.
I've done so many mods on the phone like the HK mod and various other ones. I'm trying to think back now to see if there is anything else and now I'm stuck. I don't want to restore my stock nandroid cause I would have to install everything all over again which would suck big time. I uninstall the drivers for viper4android, xposed, and even reverted the host file back from adaway. I just feel like there might be something within the system files that isn't suppose to be there. I even got rid of the att boot logo and sound but I had restored that back to stock as well. Please help if you could. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think root changes are the issue; as typically it will fail before it even goes into recovery with a message that the system has been modified. It might just be a bad download.
Setting up your phone again is really not that bad a proposition; especially if you use Titanium to restore apps. And it will also restore your Xposed installer and modules. Using Titanium, I can easily be up and fully configured again in about a half hour after a factory reset or RUU. Although, of course this will depend on the amount of customization in settings, etc.
You might consider updating with the new RUU (relocking bootloader required if s-on). Not only will this bypass the OTA install issue you are having, but makes for a cleaner install. Yes, you will have to set the phone up again; and you will also need to backup any data on internal storage, as it will be wiped by RUU.

Any way to ROOT or Downgrade 5.0.1 OC1

I don't mean to beat a dead horse, as I'm sure it's been brought up. But every search I've done just brings up how to update to OC1 without losing root. All the way back to the original Motorola Droid, I've always rooted and added a custom recovery and ROM to every phone I've had. I was running Hyperdrive RLS20 and loved it. I've been using Hyperdrive since my Galaxy S3. Then I saw Hyperdrive RLS21 came out and decided I wanted to give it a shot. And although I've flashed over a few hundred ROMs no problem, this time really screwed my phone. I could only get into DL mode. I tried about 25 different ways until I had Kies fix it, which put it on 5.0.1. Can I revert down with Odin? Or is there anything I can do to get root and SU back. Any help would be much, MUCH appreciated
Nope, by taking the latest OTA (or in this case Kies) you've locked yourself into the latest version, for which there is currently no Root
That sucks. No way to use Odin in order to downgrade or anything? This is the first time since I've ever owned an android phone that I've been stuck without root
52brandon said:
That sucks. No way to use Odin in order to downgrade or anything? This is the first time since I've ever owned an android phone that I've been stuck without root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. Locked Bootloader sucks.
Every single time there is an update these individuals always end up in this situation! !! No matter how many times they're told to wait and just not update!!!
Charlie115 said:
Every single time there is an update these individuals always end up in this situation! !! No matter how many times they're told to wait and just not update!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't lump me In with that crowd. I had no intention on going to 5.0.1. If you read my original post, I was upgrading to Hyperdrive KK21 from KK20 (and yes, I followed every single instruction to the T. My only guess is that the USB connection got messed up and only flashed a portion causing the problems) and it **** the bed mid-update. I couldn't get into SS recovery or even stock recovery, only DL mode. I spent 2 days without a working phone trying to flash every single Odin file that retained root and they all failed. So I used Kies to try to repair it and ended up ****ed on 5.0.1. The one solution I didn't want. I've NEVER had an android since the D1 that wasn't rooted running a custom ROM. Which is why I'm so desperately trying to get back to rooted. While 5.0.1 is actually a very nice OS, not having all the root options is killing me. And since its now 2 generations old, my hopes that a root exploit will be found, or that people even care enough to try to find one are extremely low. But, I sure hope I'm wrong, and that an exploit for one of the newer generations Galaxies will work on this one too. I'm OCD about having root and this is killing me
52brandon said:
I couldn't get into SS recovery or even stock recovery, only DL mode. I spent 2 days without a working phone trying to flash every single Odin file that retained root and they all failed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're ever in this situation again, give up on retaining your current root, flash back to true stock (with a re-partition .pit file as well), and re-root. If you had flashed the nc5 full-wipe with the .pit file and just restored root from a clean system, you would have been fine.
52brandon said:
Don't lump me In with that crowd. I had no intention on going to 5.0.1. If you read my original post, I was upgrading to Hyperdrive KK21 from KK20 (and yes, I followed every single instruction to the T. My only guess is that the USB connection got messed up and only flashed a portion causing the problems) and it **** the bed mid-update. I couldn't get into SS recovery or even stock recovery, only DL mode. I spent 2 days without a working phone trying to flash every single Odin file that retained root and they all failed. So I used Kies to try to repair it and ended up ****ed on 5.0.1. The one solution I didn't want. I've NEVER had an android since the D1 that wasn't rooted running a custom ROM. Which is why I'm so desperately trying to get back to rooted. While 5.0.1 is actually a very nice OS, not having all the root options is killing me. And since its now 2 generations old, my hopes that a root exploit will be found, or that people even care enough to try to find one are extremely low. But, I sure hope I'm wrong, and that an exploit for one of the newer generations Galaxies will work on this one too. I'm OCD about having root and this is killing me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you should have known better than to use kies...
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
Honestly I don't even think that devlopers will make much effort to even find out how to root this version as its says that this is one of two updates before getting lollypop.
Development Forums are for developers to share their work and post their Roms and Mods.
Questions belong in the Q&A section.
Thread has been moved to correct section, please pay attention to XDA rules.
Root
52brandon said:
I don't mean to beat a dead horse, as I'm sure it's been brought up. But every search I've done just brings up how to update to OC1 without losing root. All the way back to the original Motorola Droid, I've always rooted and added a custom recovery and ROM to every phone I've had. I was running Hyperdrive RLS20 and loved it. I've been using Hyperdrive since my Galaxy S3. Then I saw Hyperdrive RLS21 came out and decided I wanted to give it a shot. And although I've flashed over a few hundred ROMs no problem, this time really screwed my phone. I could only get into DL mode. I tried about 25 different ways until I had Kies fix it, which put it on 5.0.1. Can I revert down with Odin? Or is there anything I can do to get root and SU back. Any help would be much, MUCH appreciated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
KingRoot 4.1 rooted my galaxy s4 on oc1....and try flashing an nc5 tar in flashfire
You cannot flash anything with flashfire. If you flash that tar, you WILL brick.
Question
Just wondering, i have rooted my OC1 with Kingroot 4.1, now, can someone make a guide showing how to downgrade from OC1?
PD:. Sorry for my horrible english.
Epiphany^ said:
Just wondering, i have rooted my OC1 with Kingroot 4.1, now, can someone make a guide showing how to downgrade from OC1?
PD:. Sorry for my horrible english.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't downgrade from OC1.
Downgrade isn't a root issue, it is a bootloader issue. Unless the bootloader gets unlocked, we're stuck on OC1
kingroot does work
I had done the dumb thing and was impatient and did the oc1 update to later find out you can not downgrade and im on Verizon Samsung galaxy s4 (sch-i545) which even on kit kat is very limited to rooting it.. but on a whim I seen a post about king root and it mentioned that and I did see this myself but it will say not supported like it did on mine. but I figured what the hell.. whats the worst that could happen... well im rooted now and only tried because I had seen others make that comment.. well kingroot works for s4 Verizon with locked bootloader.. no need to downgrade from oc1.. just get the app and click... took less than 10 mins if I rememner right.. and I have had no pronlems in 3 days.. it oddly even fixed some of the bugs I was having with oc1 like incoming calls not ringing
Munk3ybones said:
I had done the dumb thing and was impatient and did the oc1 update to later find out you can not downgrade and im on Verizon Samsung galaxy s4 (sch-i545) which even on kit kat is very limited to rooting it.. but on a whim I seen a post about king root and it mentioned that and I did see this myself but it will say not supported like it did on mine. but I figured what the hell.. whats the worst that could happen... well im rooted now and only tried because I had seen others make that comment.. well kingroot works for s4 Verizon with locked bootloader.. no need to downgrade from oc1.. just get the app and click... took less than 10 mins if I rememner right.. and I have had no pronlems in 3 days.. it oddly even fixed some of the bugs I was having with oc1 like incoming calls not ringing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have root. But you have a much lower chance of getting an unlocked Bootloader than anyone on NC5/NK1/NK4. They have root, module loading, and a potential for kexec to run custom kernels.
Don't upgrade to OC1 via OTA if you haven't already everyone! Use Muniz_ri's keeproot upgrade method!
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 12:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:53 AM ----------
bigg6987 said:
Downgrade isn't a root issue, it is a bootloader issue. Unless the bootloader gets unlocked, we're stuck on OC1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even then you're stuck. Rollback has little to do with the BL. Rollback is set at a much lower level (physically).
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Updates with TWRP, ROOT and/or XPOSED

Hey guys,
I have my tablet since one week. I love it, all works fine, Xposed offers me OBB move and so on. But now I have a question:
How can I get the new Updates for my Tablet with ROOT/TWRP?​I know OTA can't be updated due to TWRP, but is there any way to flash updates dirty?! (like with LineageOS, OxygenOS, ... )
At the moment, if I try to search for new updates, I get following message:
The operating system on your device hase been modified in an unauthorised way. Try downloading softwar updates using Smart Switch on PC or visit a customer service centre.​
Maybe someone got an early version of the Tab S3 with early factory Android and can give some enlightenment.
Greetz,
CM
First, this should be posted in the q&a section. You're going to have to flash the upgrade firmware tar in odin. Then re-set up your device and re-root. It's a pita. Google has gotten better at saving your apps and data, which helps, or use something like titanium backup
isn't it enough flashing stock recovery and uninstall supersu via app?
I've been away from Samsung devices for awhile, I've been using Nexus but just got a tab3. I haven't tried this but it's possible that you could flash the update.zip that would be pushed to your device using flashfire. You would probably also be able to retain root and TWRP. Maybe someone with more recent samsung use could confirm that. However, based on the message you're getting the update looks like it won't be pushed to your device. And afik samsung doesn't publish the ota, only the full firmware so someone here would have to capture the ota and post it. Whenever samsung gets around to providing an update we can play around with it and see.
PS, do you have a flashable copy of the stock recovery?

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